Shifter assembly

ABSTRACT

A shifter assembly selects a first mode and a second mode of a transmission for a vehicle. The shifter assembly includes a housing and a shift lever movably coupled to the housing and pivotable relative to the housing. The shift lever includes a body and a cap defining an aperture and being coupled to the body. The cap is rotatable relative to the body between a first and a second orientations. The shift lever further includes a toggle device partially received by the cap in the aperture with at least a portion of the toggle device being moveably coupled to the body between a rest and a depressed positions. The shift lever further includes an element mounted to the toggle device and rotatable with the cap between the first and the second orientations. The shift lever further includes a sensor system configured to interact with the element to detect rotation of the cap between the first and the second orientations.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The subject patent application is a divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/178,887, filed on Jun. 10, 2016, the contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a shifter assembly forchanging gear positions in a transmission of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Shifter assemblies are used with transmissions in vehicles for changinggear positions of the transmission. For example, the shifter assembliescan be used to shift an automatic transmission into a plurality ofautomatic modes, such as Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive. The shifterassemblies can also be used to shift the automatic transmission into amanual mode akin to a manual transmission. Once in the manual mode, adriver may shift the automatic transmission from gear to gear manually.

A conventional shifter assembly includes a shifter operational along afirst path between the plurality of automatic modes. The shifter is thenmoved into a second path for switching from the automatic mode to themanual mode. Once in the manual mode, the shifter is operational alongthe second path in a fore to aft manner to change gears within theautomatic transmission manually. The second path is typically eitherparallel to and spaced from the first path or is transverse to the firstpath. In either case, the shifter must be moved laterally relative tothe first path.

A different type of conventional shifter assembly includes a shifterthat is mono-stable, meaning it returns to a common position afteractivation. These types of shifters are becoming more popular,especially where the shifter assembly is fully electronic.

There remains an opportunity to merge the automatic and manual modesfound in a dual path shifter assembly with the functionality of amono-stable shifter assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

A shifter assembly selects a first mode and a second mode of atransmission for a vehicle. The shifter assembly includes a housing. Theshifter assembly further includes a shift lever movably coupled to thehousing and pivotable relative to the housing. The shift lever includesa body. The shift lever further includes a cap defining an aperture andbeing coupled to the body. The cap is rotatable relative to the bodybetween a first orientation for selecting the first mode and a secondorientation for selecting the second mode of the transmission. The shiftlever further includes a toggle device coupled to the cap for movementwith the cap between the orientations and disposed in said aperture. Atleast a portion of the toggle device is moveably coupled to the capbetween a rest position and a depressed position. A biasing member isdisposed in the body and engages the toggle device to bias the toggledevice toward a predetermined position. An element is mounted to thetoggle device and rotatable with the toggle device and the cap betweenthe first orientation and the second orientation. A sensor system ismounted in the body adjacent the toggle device and is configured tointeract with the element to detect rotation of the cap between thefirst and the second orientations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated,as the same becomes better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shifter assembly.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the shifter assembly of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmented side view of a toggle device and a sensor systemof the shifter assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a rotary cam drive portion of thetoggle device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of an alternative rotary cam driveportion.

FIG. 5 is a fragmented cross-sectional side view of the shifter assemblyof FIG. 1 with a cap in a first orientation and a button portion in arest position.

FIG. 6 is a fragmented cross-sectional side view of the shifter assemblyof FIG. 1 with the cap in an intermittent orientation and the buttonportion in the rest position.

FIG. 7 is a fragmented cross-sectional side view of the shifter assemblyof FIG. 1 with the cap in a second orientation and the button portion inthe rest position.

FIG. 8A is a fragmented cross-sectional side view of the shifterassembly of FIG. 1 with the cap in the first orientation and the buttonportion in a depressed position.

FIG. 8B is a fragmented cross-sectional side view of an alternativeshifter assembly with a cap in the first orientation and a buttonportion in a depressed position.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment of theshifter assembly.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the shifter assembly of FIG. 9 withthe cap in the first orientation orientation and the button portion inthe rest position.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of another alternativeembodiment of the shifter assembly.

FIG. 12 is a fragmented cross-sectional side view of the shifterassembly of FIG. 11 with the cap in the second orientation and thebutton portion in the rest position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like orcorresponding parts throughout the several views, a shifter assembly isgenerally shown at 20. The shifter assembly 20 is operated for selectinga plurality of modes of a transmission for a vehicle, such as a firstmode and a second mode of the transmission. The plurality of modes ofthe transmission may relate to gear positions of the transmission(1^(st) gear, 2^(nd) rear, 3^(rd) gear, etc.), states of thetransmission (park, neutral, drive, reverse, etc.), or automatic andmanual modes. Typically, the shifter assembly 20 is disposed within acenter console of the vehicle. However, the shifter assembly 20 may bedisposed in other places within the vehicle, such as the dashboard orthe steering column.

With reference to FIGS. 1-2, 9 and 11, three different embodiments ofthe shifter assembly 20 having a housing 22 are shown. Common or likeparts between the various embodiments of the invention are given commonreferences numbers. The housing 22 has an exterior surface 24.Generally, the exterior surface 24 of the housing 22 is disposed in thecenter console of the vehicle. However, it is to be appreciated that thehousing 22 may be disposed in other places within the vehicle, such asthe dashboard or the steering column.

The shifter assembly 20 includes a shift lever 26 extending between afirst shifter end 28 and a second shifter end 30, which is spaced fromthe first shifter end 28. The shift lever 26 defines a longitudinal axisLA between the first shifter end 28 and the second shifter end 30 of theshift lever 26. The shift lever 26 extends out of the housing 22 suchthat the first shifter end 28 of the shift lever 26 is exposed withinthe interior of the vehicle. The second shifter end 30 of the shiftlever 26 is disposed within the housing 22 and is movably coupled to thehousing 24. A vehicle operator utilizes the first shifter end 28 of theshift lever 26 to move the second shifter end 30 of the shift lever 26.The shift lever 26 is pivotable relative to the housing 22. In certainembodiments, such as the illustrated embodiments, the shift lever 26 ismono-stable relative to the housing. In other words, after pivoting theshift lever 26 relative to the housing 22 from a normal position to oneor more activated positions, the shift lever 26 returns to the samenormal position.

The shift lever 26 includes a body 32 extending between a first body end34 and a second body end 36, which is spaced from the first body end 34.The body 32 is disposed between the first shifter end 28 and the secondshifter end 30 of the shift lever 26 with the second body end 36adjacent the exterior surface 24 of the housing 22. The first and secondbody ends 34, 36 generally extend along the longitudinal axis LA of theshift lever 26. The body 32 can be of any suitable configuration and caninclude any suitable indicia 48 as desired.

The shift lever 26 also includes a cap 38 coupled to the body 32 andextending between a first cap end 40 and a second cap end 42, which isspaced from the first cap end 40. The first cap end 40 is adjacent thefirst shifter end 28 of the shift lever 26 and the second cap end 42 isadjacent the first body end 34. The first and second cap ends 40, 42generally extend along the longitudinal axis LA of the shift lever 26.The cap 38 defines an aperture 44 at the first cap end 40 and inlinewith the longitudinal axis LA of the shift lever 26. The cap 38 may alsobe of any suitable configuration.

The cap 38 is rotatable relative to the body 32 between a firstorientation for selecting the first mode of the transmission and asecond orientation for selecting the second mode of the transmission. Itis to be appreciated that the cap 38 may be rotatable relative to thebody 32 to additional orientations, such as a third orientation. The cap38 includes an indicator extension 46 extending toward the body 32 toprovide an indication of the orientation of the cap 38 relative to thebody 32. The indicator extension 46 may be of any length, width orthickness as desired, so long as the orientation of the cap 38 relativeto the body 32 can be understood.

Specifically, as shown, the body 32 may further include indicia 48corresponding to the orientation of the cap 38 relative to the body 32with the indicator extension 46 inline with the indicia 48. As shown inFIG. 5, for example, in certain embodiments, the cap 38 further includesa pair of retaining bulges 50 extending along the longitudinal axis LAtoward the body 32 for coupling the cap 38 to the body 32.

Turning to FIGS. 2-5, 9-10 and 11-12, each shift lever 26 of the variousembodiments further includes a toggle device 52 coupled to the cap 38for movement with the cap 38 between the orientations. The toggle device52 is also partially disposed in the aperture 44 of the cap 38. Thetoggle device 52 is moveably coupled to the cap 38 such that when thecap 38 rotates relative to the body 32, the toggle device 52 alsorotates relative to the body 32. The toggle device 52 extends between afirst toggle end 54 and a second toggle end 56, which is spaced from thefirst toggle end 54. The first and second toggle ends 54, 56 generallyextend along the longitudinal axis LA of the shift lever 26. The toggledevice 52 includes an exposed surface 58 adjacent the first toggle end54. The exposed surface 58 of the toggle device 52 is configured toextend through the aperture 44 of the cap 38 toward the first shifterend 28. The toggle device 52 also includes a plurality of detentsurfaces 60 facing the body 32 and adjacent the second toggle end 56. Asshown in FIGS. 4A-4B, the detent surfaces 60 include a recess portion 62and a raised portion 64.

At least a portion of the toggle device 52 is moveably coupled to thebody 32 between a rest position and a depressed position. As discussedin greater detail below, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-10, a portion ofthe toggle device 52 moves between the rest and depressed positions,while in the embodiment of FIGS. 11-12, the entire toggle device 52moves between the rest and depressed positions. Specifically, the toggledevice 52 (or a portion thereof) moves along the longitudinal axis LA ofthe shift lever 26 relative to the body 32 between the rest position andthe depressed position. It is to be appreciated that the toggle device52 may move along the longitudinal axis LA to additional positions. Avehicle operator utilizes the exposed surface 58 of the toggle device 52to move the toggle device 52 along the longitudinal axis LA toward thebody 32. As shown in FIGS. 5, 10 and 12, when the toggle device 52 is inthe rest position, the exposed surface 58 is extended through theaperture 44 toward the first shifter end 28. As shown in FIGS. 8A and8B, when a portion of the toggle device 52 is in the depressed position,a portion of the exposed surface 58 is disposed in the aperture 44. Itis to be appreciated that certain aspects of the embodiments of theshifter assembly shown in FIGS. 9-10 and 11-12 operate in a similarmanner to the embodiment of the shifter shown in FIGS. 1-8B such that aportion of the exposed surface 58 will likewise be disposed in theaperture 44.

The shift lever 26 further includes a biasing member 66 disposed in thebody 32 and engaging the toggle device 52 to bias the toggle device 52toward a predetermined position. In the embodiment of FIGS. 11-12, thepredetermined position is the rest position. In the embodiment of FIGS.1-10, the predetermined position is a rotational position of the toggledevice 52. The biasing member 66 engages the toggle device 52 to biasthe toggle device 52 toward the rest position. The biasing member 66includes a spring portion 68 adjacent the second body end 36 of the body32 and a plunger portion 70 adjacent the first body end 34. The plungerportion 70 engages the toggle device 52 to bias the toggle device 52toward the predetermined position. In certain embodiments, the body 32includes two biasing members 66. However, it is to be appreciated thatthe body 32 may include more than two biasing members 66 to bias thetoggle device 52 toward the rest position.

The biasing member 66 engages the detent surfaces 60 of the toggledevice 52 to provide tactile feedback. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7,during rotation of the cap 38 and the toggle device 52, the biasingmember 66 extends into the recess portions 62 of detent surfaces 60 andretracts with the raised portions 64 of the detent surfaces 60 tomaintain engagement with the detent surfaces 60. As the biasing member66 maintains this engagement with the detent surfaces 60 during rotationof the cap 38 and toggle device 52, tactile feedback is apparent to avehicle operator.

With reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-10, the toggle device52 is formed of multiple components. As shown, the toggle device 52includes a rotary cam drive portion 72 and a button portion 74. A spring76 is disposed between the rotary cam drive portion 72 and the buttonportion 74 to bias the button portion 74 toward the rest position of thetoggle device 52. The button portion 74 is received by the cap 38 in theaperture 44 of the cap 38 with the button portion 74 including theexposed surface 58. A vehicle operator utilizes the exposed surface 58of the button portion 74 of the toggle device 52 to move the buttonportion 74 along the longitudinal axis LA toward the body 32. As shownin these embodiments, the button portion 74 includes at least one, andpreferably two, legs 75 that extend from the exposed surface 58 at thefirst toggle end 54 toward the second toggle end 56 about the rotary camdrive portion 72. Even more preferably, the legs 75 are separated fromeach other and are cantilevered off of the exposed surface 58 at thefirst toggle end 54. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3-4B, the rotary camdrive portion 72 has at least, and preferably two, grooves 77 forreceiving the legs 75. The legs 75 of the button portion 74 slide withinthe grooves 77 of the rotary cam drive portion 72 during the movement ofthe button portion 74 between the rest and depressed positions.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4-10, the rotary cam drive portion 72 isadjacent the body 32 and includes the detent surfaces 60. The rotary camdrive portion 72 includes a pair of protrusions 78 extending laterallyrelative to the longitudinal axis LA from the rotary cam drive portion72 for coupling the rotary cam drive portion 72 to the body 32. Therotary cam drive portion 72 also includes a pair of locking bulges 80extending along the longitudinal axis LA toward the cap 38. The lockingbulges 80 cooperate with retaining bulges 50 of the cap 38 to couple thecap 38 to the body 32. The cap 38 is coupled to the rotary cam driveportion 72 such that the cap 38 is coupled to the body 32 whilepermitting the rotation of the cap 38 relative to the body 32. Duringrotation of the cap 38, both the rotary cam drive portion 72 and thebutton portion 74 rotate. During movement of the portion of the toggledevice 52 along the longitudinal axis LA, the button portion 74 movesalong the longitudinal axis LA while the rotary cam drive portion 72remains in position along the longitudinal axis LA.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 5-10, the shift lever 26 further includes aretainer 82 disposed between the cap 38 and the body 32 with theretainer 82 coupled to the body 32. The retainer 82 extends along thelongitudinal axis LA and defines an opening 84 also extending along thelongitudinal axis LA with the opening 84 configured to receive therotary cam drive portion 72. The retainer 82 is configured to retain therotary cam drive portion 72 of the toggle device 52 between the body 32and the cap 38. The retainer 82 includes a pair of locking tabs 86extending along the longitudinal axis LA toward the body 32, which areconfigured to couple the retainer 82 to the body 32 adjacent the firstbody end 34 of the body 32. The retainer 82 includes a shelf 88extending about a periphery of the retainer 82 on an interior surface ofthe retainer 82. The shelf 88 of the retainer 82 is configured tocooperate with the protrusions 78 of the rotary cam drive portion 72 tocouple rotary cam drive portion 72 to the body 32 such that the rotarycam drive portion 72 remains in position along the longitudinal axis LA.

With reference to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11-12, the toggle device52 is a unified component including the exposed surface 58 and thedetent surfaces 60. The exposed surface 58 of the toggle device 52 isadjacent the first toggle end 52 and the detent surfaces 60 are disposedadjacent the second toggle end 54. During rotation of the cap 38, boththe exposed surface 58 and the detent surfaces 60 rotate. Duringmovement of the toggle device 52 along the longitudinal axis LA, boththe exposed surface 58 and the detent surfaces 60 move along thelongitudinal axis LA.

In all of the embodiments, the body 32 has a first locking member 90 andthe cap 38 has a second locking member 92. The first and the secondlocking members engaged 90, 92 to each other such that the cap 38 iscoupled to the body 32 while permitting the rotation of the cap 38.

With continued reference to all of the embodiments, the shift lever 26also includes an element 94 mounted to the toggle device 52. The element94 extends from the second toggle end 56 toward the body 32. The element94 is generally inline with the longitudinal axis LA. In embodimentswherein the toggle device 52 includes the rotary cam drive portion 72,the element 94 is mounted to the rotary cam drive portion 72 and extendsfrom the second toggle end 56 toward the body 32. In embodiments whereinthe toggle device 52 is the unified component, the element 94 is mountedto the toggle device 52 and extends from the second toggle end 56 towardthe body 32.

The element 94 is rotatable with the toggle device 52 and the cap 38between the first orientation and the second orientation. In embodimentswherein the toggle device 52 includes the rotary cam drive portion 72and during rotation of the cap 38, the rotary cam drive portion 72 andthe element 94 rotate. In embodiments wherein the toggle device 52 isthe unified component and during rotation of the cap 38, the toggledevice 52 and the element 94 rotate.

The shift lever 26 also includes a sensor system 96 mounted in the body32 adjacent the toggle device 52. The sensor system 96 is disposed alongthe longitudinal axis LA. While the sensor system 96 includes sensorsmounted in the body 32 adjacent the toggle device 52, the sensor system96 may also include sensors in other locations within the shift lever26, such as between the button portion 74 and the rotary cam driveportion 72 of the toggle device 52. The sensor system 96 may include anytype of sensor or sensors for detecting rotation of the cap 38 betweenthe first and said second orientations, detecting movement of the toggledevice 52 between the rest position and the depressed position, or both.Examples of suitable sensors include hall effect sensors,potentiometers, switches, or combinations thereof.

Preferably, the sensor system 96 includes any type of suitable supportstructure 100 for the sensors, such as a PCB. The support structure 100can be of any configuration is generally intersects the longitudinalaxis LA.

The sensor system 96 is configured to interact with the element 94 todetect rotation of the cap 38 between the first and the secondorientations. The interaction between the element 94 and the sensorsystem 96 may be a physical interaction, an electrical interaction, amagnetic interaction, an electromagnetic interaction, or combinationsthereof.

In certain embodiments, the sensor system 96 is configured to output afirst voltage when the cap 38 is in the first orientation for selectingthe first mode of the transmission and configured to output a secondvoltage different than the first voltage when the cap 38 is in thesecond orientation for selecting the second mode of the transmission. Inembodiments wherein the cap 38 is rotatable relative to the body 32 to athird rotation, the sensor system 96 is configured to output a thirdvoltage different than the first and second voltages when the cap 38 isin the third orientation for selecting a third mode of the transmission.It is to be appreciated that the sensor system 96 may be configured tooutput a variety of different voltages corresponding to the number oforientation that the cap 38 is rotatable to.

In other embodiments, the sensor system 96 is configured to output afourth voltage when at least a portion of the toggle device 52 is in therest position and a fifth voltage when at least the portion of thetoggle device 52 is in the depressed position with the fourth and fifthvoltages different than each other and different than the first, second,and third voltages. It is to be appreciated that the sensor system 96may be configured to output a variety of different voltagescorresponding to any intervening positions between the rest position andthe depressed position of the toggle device 52.

As shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-8A, the sensor system 96 includesa switch 98 disposed on the support structure 100. The switch 98 couldbe of any suitable configuration. The switch 98 is configured to detectthe movement of at least the portion of the toggle device 52 between therest position and the depressed position. It is to be appreciated thatthe switch may be configured to detect movement of the portion of thetoggle device 52 to any intervening position between the rest positionand the depressed position of the portion of the toggle device 52. Asshown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 8A, the switch 98 is a mechanical switch engagedby the legs 75 of the button portion 74 when the button portion 74 movesto the depressed position. As specifically shown, there is one switch 98for each leg 75. It is to be appreciated that there may be any number ofswitches 98 and the switch 98 could be of any contact or non-contactdesign actuated by any suitable configuration of the button portion 74.

With reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8B and 9-10, the sensorsystem 96 includes a switch 98 disposed between the button portion 74 ofthe toggle device 52 and the rotary cam drive portion 72 of the toggledevice 52. As shown in FIG. 8B, there could be redundant switches 98 inalternative positions. The switch is schematically shown and could be ofany suitable configuration. The switch 98 is configured to detect themovement of at least the portion of the toggle device 52 between therest position and the depressed position. It is to be appreciated thatthe switch may be configured to detect movement of the portion of thetoggle device 52 to any intervening position between the rest positionand the depressed position of the portion of the toggle device 52.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5-8B, the sensor system 96 includes a halleffect sensor 101. As shown, the hall effect sensor 101 is disposed onthe support structure 100 in any suitable manner and many be of anysuitable configuration. In this embodiment, the element 94 includes amagnet 102. The magnet 102 is rotatable with the cap 38 relative to thehall effect sensor 101 such that the hall effect sensor 101 outputs thefirst voltage when the cap 38 is in the first orientation and outputsthe second voltage when the cap 38 is in the second orientation. Asshown in FIG. 4A, the magnet 102 may have a cylindrical configurationand have a first face 104 and a second face 106 spaced from the firstface 104 with the first and the second faces 104, 106 disposed along thelongitudinal axis LA. The magnet 102 of FIG. 4A may have a first side108 and a second side 110 extending along the longitudinal axis LA fromthe first face 104 to the second face 106. The magnet 102 of FIG. 4A mayalso define an N-pole on the first side 108 and an S-pole on the secondside 110 with the N-pole and S-pole defining a magnetic field. It is tobe appreciated that the magnet 102 may be of any suitable configuration.For example, the magnet 102 could have a D-shaped configuration as shownin FIG. 4B.

In one embodiment, the sensor system 96 includes the hall effect sensor101 and the switch 98. The hall effect sensor 101 detects rotation ofthe cap 38 between the first and the second orientations. The switch 98detects movement of at least the portion of the toggle device 52 betweenthe rest position and the depressed position. Rotation of the magnet 102relative to the hall effect sensor 101 results in a variable voltageoutput from the hall effect sensor 101 due to the change in the magneticfield. As such, when the cap 38 is in the first orientation, the halleffect sensor 101 outputs the first voltage and when the cap 38 is inthe second orientation, the hall effect sensor 101 outputs the secondvoltage.

In another embodiment, the hall effect sensor 101 of the sensor system96 detects rotation of the cap 38 between the first and the secondorientations and detects movement of at least the portion of the toggledevice 52 between the rest position and the depressed position. Rotationof the magnet 102 relative to the hall effect sensor 101 results in avariable voltage output from the hall effect sensor 101 due to thechange in the magnetic field. As such, when the cap 38 is in the firstorientation, the hall effect sensor 101 outputs the first voltage andwhen the cap 38 is in the second orientation, the hall effect sensor 101outputs the second voltage. Movement of the magnet 102 along thelongitudinal axis LA results in a variable voltage output from the halleffect sensor 101 due to the change in the magnetic field. As such, whenat least the portion of the toggle device 52 is in the rest position,the hall effect sensor 101 outputs the fourth voltage and when at leastthe portion of the toggle device 52 is in the depressed position, thehall effect sensor 101 outputs the fifth voltage.

The sensor system 96 could also, or alternatively, includes apotentiometer 112. The potentiometer is specifically shown in theembodiments of the shifter in FIGS. 9-12. As shown, the potentiometer112 is disposed on the support structure 100 and/or is integrated withthe support structure 100. In these embodiments, the element 94 includesa resistance element 114. The resistance element 114 is rotatable withthe cap 38 relative to the potentiometer 112 such that the potentiometer112 outputs the first voltage when the cap 38 is in the firstorientation and outputs the second voltage when the cap 38 is in thesecond orientation. The potentiometer 112 defines an orifice 116 withthe resistance element 114 received by the orifice 116 to detectrotation of the resistance element 114 relative to the potentiometer112. The resistance element 114 may have a cylindrical configuration andhave a first resistance element end and a second resistance element endspaced from the first resistance element end with the first and thesecond resistance element ends disposed along the longitudinal axis LA.The first resistance element end is adjacent the toggle device 52 andthe second resistance element end faces the body 32. The resistanceelement 114 may define a circumference extending about the longitudinalaxis LA between the first resistance element end and the secondresistance element end. The resistance element 114 may have a variableelectrical resistivity (Ω·m) extending along the circumference of theresistance element 114, may have a variable electrical resistivity (Ω·m)extending between the first and the second resistance element ends, orboth.

The embodiment of FIGS. 9-10 has the sensor system 96 with thepotentiometer 112 and the switch 98. The potentiometer 112 detectsrotation of the cap 38 between the first and the second orientations.The switch 98 detects movement of at least a portion of the toggledevice 52 between the rest position and the depressed position. In thisembodiment, the resistance element 114 has a variable electricalresistivity (Ω·m) extending along the circumference of the resistanceelement 114. Rotation of the resistance element 114 relative to thepotentiometer 112 results in a variable voltage output from thepotentiometer 112 due to the change in the electrical resistivity (Ω·m).As such, when the cap 38 is in the first orientation, the potentiometer112 outputs the first voltage and when the cap 38 is in the secondorientation, the potentiometer 112 outputs the second voltage.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11-12, the potentiometer 112 of thesensor system 96 detects rotation of the cap 38 between the first andthe second orientations and detects movement of at least a portion ofthe toggle device 52 between the rest position and the depressedposition. In this embodiment, the resistance element 114 has a variableelectrical resistivity (Ω·m) extending along the circumference of theresistance element 114 and a variable electrical resistivity (Ω·m)extending between the first and the second resistance element ends.Rotation of the resistance element 114 relative to the potentiometer 112results in a variable voltage output from the potentiometer 112 due tothe change in the electrical resistivity (Ω·m). As such, when the cap 38is in the first orientation, the potentiometer 112 outputs the firstvoltage and when the cap 38 is in the second orientation, thepotentiometer 112 outputs the second voltage. Movement of the resistanceelement 114 along the longitudinal axis LA results in a variable voltageoutput from the potentiometer 112 due to the change in the electricalresistivity (Ω·m). As such, when at least a portion of the toggle device52 is in the rest position, the potentiometer 112 outputs the fourthvoltage and when at least a portion of the toggle device 52 is in thedepressed position, the potentiometer 112 outputs the fifth voltage.

In all of the embodiments, the shifter assembly 20 can includes anadditional sensor system (not shown) mounted in the housing 22 adjacentthe shift lever 26. The additional sensor system may include any type ofsensor or sensors for detecting movement of the shift lever 26 relativeto the housing 22. The additional sensor system may detect movement ofthe shift lever 26 relative to the housing 22 from a nominal/normalposition to one or more actuated positions.

The shifter assembly 20 is intended to work with the sensor system 96,which is responsive to rotation of the cap 38 between the first and saidsecond orientations, to movement of at least a portion of the toggledevice 52 between the rest position and the depressed position, or toboth, to generate signals for application to a transmission controller.The shifter assembly 20 is also intended to work with the additionalsensor system (not shown), which is responsive to movement of the shiftlever 26 relative to the housing 22 from the normal position to one ormore extended positions. The transmission controller includes a knownprocessing logic circuit which is utilized for effecting gear shiftswithin the transmission in a known manner. It is to be appreciated thatthe transmission controller may be in communication with othercomponents of the vehicle, such as the brake pedal for determining ifthe brake pedal is depressed before allowing the transmission to beshifted from park.

Referring back to the modes of transmission introduced above, in certainembodiments, the first mode of the transmission is further defined as adrive position of the transmission and the second mode of thetransmission is further defined as a reverse position of thetransmission. The transmission may include additional modes, which maybe further defined as a neutral position, a park position, etc. of thetransmission. When the cap 38 actuates between the first and secondorientations (drive and reverse in this example), the rest position ofthe toggle device 52/button portion 74 corresponds to the automatic modeof the transmission and the depressed position of the toggle devicecorresponds to the manual mode of the transmission. The shift lever 26actuates between gear positions of the transmission (1^(st) gear, 2^(nd)rear, 3^(rd) gear, etc.).

As one exemplary embodiment, the toggle device 52 of the shift lever 26actuates between the automatic mode of the transmission and the manualmode of the transmission. When the automatic mode is engaged, the cap 38actuates between drive, reverse, neutral, and park. When the manual modeis engaged, the cap 38 actuates between drive, reverse, neutral, andpark, and the shift lever 26 actuates between gear positions of thetransmission.

In other embodiment, the first mode of the transmission is furtherdefined as the automatic mode and the second mode of the transmission isfurther defined as the manual mode. When the cap 38 actuates between theautomatic mode and the manual mode, the shift lever 26 actuates betweenthe drive and reverse positions. The shift lever 26 may actuate toadditional states, which may be further defined as neutral, park, etc.The shift lever 26 may also actuate between gear positions of thetransmission. In this embodiment, the toggle device 52 may engageoverdrive, traction control, park, etc.

As another exemplary embodiment, the cap 38 of the shift lever 26actuates between the automatic mode of the transmission and the manualmode of the transmission. When the automatic mode is engaged, the shiftlever 26 actuates between drive, reverse, neutral, and park. When themanual mode is engaged, the shift lever 26 actuates between drive,reverse, neutral, park, and actuates between gear positions of thetransmission.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings. The foregoing inventionhas been described in accordance with the relevant legal standards;thus, the description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature.Variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiment may becomeapparent to those skilled in the art and do come within the scope of theinvention. Accordingly, the scope of legal protection afforded thisinvention may only be determined by studying the following claims.

1-21. (canceled)
 22. A method of operating a shift lever of a vehicletransmission with the shift lever coupled to a housing and having abody, cap, toggle device and sensor system, said method comprising thesteps of: rotating the cap relative to said body to at least one of afirst orientation to select a first mode of the transmission and asecond orientation to select a second mode of the transmission;actuating at least a portion of the toggle device from a rest positioncorresponding to an automatic mode of the transmission to a depressedposition corresponding to a manual mode of the transmission; andpivoting the body, cap and toggle device relative to the housing toselect a specific gear of the transmission.
 23. A method as set forth inclaim 22 further including the step of sensing the rotating of the capand the actuating of at least a portion of the toggle device with thesensor system.
 24. A method as set forth in claim 22 wherein the cap andthe toggle device are coupled together, and the step of rotating the capis further defined as rotating the cap and the toggle device as a unit.25. A method as set forth in claim 24 wherein the step of rotating thecap and actuating at least a portion of the toggle device are performedindependently from each other.
 26. A method as set forth in claim 24wherein the shift lever further includes an element mounted to thetoggle device and further including the step of sensing the rotating ofthe cap and the toggle device by the sensor system detecting rotation ofthe element between said first and said second orientations.
 27. Amethod as set forth in claim 22 wherein the toggle device includes arotary cam drive portion and a button portion, and wherein the step ofrotating the cap is further defined as rotating the cap and the rotarycam drive portion as a unit, and wherein the step of actuating at leasta portion of the toggle device is further defined as actuating thebutton portion.
 28. A method as set forth in claim 27 wherein the buttonportion is biased toward the rest position by a biasing member disposedin the body.
 29. A method as set forth in claim 22 wherein the shiftlever further includes a biasing member disposed on the body andengaging the toggle device and further comprising the step of biasingthe toggle device with the biasing device toward the rest position. 30.A method as set forth in claim 22 wherein the shift lever furtherincludes an element mounted to the toggle device with the elementincluding a magnet and the sensor system includes a hall effect sensorand further comprising the steps of: sensing a rotation of the magnetwith the rotating of cap relative to the hall effect sensor; outputting,by the hall effect sensor, a first voltage when the cap is in the firstorientation; and outputting, by the hall effect sensor, a second voltagewhen the cap is in the second orientation.
 31. A method as set forth inclaim 30 further comprising the step of detecting, by the hall effectsensor, movement of at least a portion of the toggle device between therest position and the depressed position.
 32. A method as set forth inclaim 22 wherein the sensor system includes a switch and furthercomprising the step of detecting, by the switch, movement of at least aportion of the toggle device between the rest position and the depressedposition.
 33. A method as set forth in claim 22 wherein the shift leverfurther includes an element mounted to the toggle device with theelement including a resistance element and the sensor system includes apotentiometer and further comprising the steps of: sensing a rotation ofthe resistance element with the rotating of the cap relative to thepotentiometer; outputting, by the potentiometer, a first voltage whenthe cap is in the first orientation; and outputting, by thepotentiometer, a second voltage when the cap is in the secondorientation.